LETTERS: "Why build a shelter miles away from where the homeless congregate?"

com

Tuesday

Sep 11, 2018 at 2:01 AM

Huge price tag

The price keeps climbing, but the logic does not. ? They populate the downtown area because that’s where the handouts are — not out in the country near the jail.

[READ: Bill could top $6 million for Daytona's new shelter]

Someone wants to spend $60,000 for a single bed and then do that 100 times. Six million dollars? Plus another $1.5 million annually to run it? Really? Guess what: Those beds will be mostly empty except for severe weather events.

But wait, there’s more! Taxpayers will have to fund a bus to shuttle the homeless back and forth; all day, every day. The whole idea is ridiculous. Sounds to me like a City Commission group wants to leave a legacy so they can pat themselves on the back while they break the taxpayers’ backs. Stop.

Marvin Biediger, Daytona Beach

Critical error

Our city and county officials are making a critical strategic error by building a homeless shelter far away from where many of the homeless earn their livelihood! The homeless survive on handouts of food and spending money by hanging out near busy intersections and pedestrian sidewalks. The challenge is: Will they give up their spending money to live far away in a nice shelter, with no transportation back to their favorite hand-out spots?

I think not, because this whole concept is not only over-budget, it is ill-conceived!

Don Dunbar, Daytona Beach

Don’t stop at top

On Nov. 6, Floridians will once again head to the ballot box to determine important races. We have had 20 years of Republican leadership at all levels in Florida and we now face environmental crises, low-wage jobs, and a weakened and targeted public school system.

It is quite typical for people to focus on the top of the ticket and much of the coverage of state candidates will be on the gubernatorial race, but this ignores the true power structure of Florida government. Unique among the 50 states, Florida has a plural executive branch with the governor and Cabinet officials (attorney general, chief financial officer, and commissioner of agriculture) serving as various policy-making boards and committees. Spend time learning about these candidates. Issues such as rights restoration and management of public lands are just some of those which are collectively decided by the governor and the Cabinet.

Don’t stop at the top of the ticket! If you want to empower a governor to make real changes in the state, send them some allies in the form of Cabinet members.

Christian Gowan, DeLand

Shame about Trump

As a child, I was taught to respect and look up to the president. When the president came on TV, it was about something important. Now we have a president who has lied over and over again, and is still lying more and more each day. Donald Trump said, way before the Electoral College gave him the title of president, that no one on his team had anything to do with Russia. This has been proven wrong, from his own family to his campaign manager and even to his attorney general.

Our so-called President doesn’t stick up for our neighbors, relatives or friends who work in government, but he has called dictators great people. He makes nasty speeches against our free press, unless of course they’re friendly to him like Fox News. He lets poor immigrant children be taken from their parents. He insults our FBI and other government agencies. He didn’t even want to honor an American hero (Sen. John McCain) until he was shamed into it!

It’s not about political parties, it’s about America. I have voted Republican and I have voted Democrat and I’ve done campaign work for a past Republican president.

It’s the first time in my 71 years that I believe that our current president is not fit to hold that office. He sure is not an example of how we want our children to grow up! I am looking forward to a future president who tells the truth and does not embarrass us.

Wayne Henrich, Ormond Beach

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.